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Summerville approves application for Short Central renovations; parks department unveils Rollins Edwards STEM lab plan
Summary
Council committees approved applying for a Parks and Recreation Development (PARD) grant to renovate Short Central and heard a non‑funded proposal to convert a multipurpose room at Rollins Edwards Community Center into a STEM/computer lab supported by sponsorships.
The town of Summerville's committees approved seeking state PARD grant funding to renovate Short Central and heard a separate proposal to build a 10‑station STEM/computer lab at Rollins Edwards Community Center.
Committee members authorized staff to apply for a Parks and Recreation Development Fund grant to support a $93,750 Short Central renovation project, with $75,000 in potential reimbursement from the PARD program and a required town match of $18,750. Parks and recreation staff said most labor for the Short Central project will be donated and that the grant money would primarily pay for materials. The project design shown to council includes a small stage/pergola near the Christmas tree display, reimagined pocket‑park and kiosk areas, landscaping along Short Central, and reconfigured parking and handicap spaces near the parking garage.
Parks and recreation staff also introduced “Lehi Up Somerville,” a plan to convert one of three multipurpose rooms at the Rollins Edwards Community Center into a STEM lab with 10 fully equipped computer stations. The department said it is not requesting town funds and will pursue sponsorships for roughly $5,000 per station; staff said the recently installed fiber at the center makes virtual partnerships and programming feasible. Brandon Jaeger, identified in the meeting as the Rollins Edwards Community Center manager, was named as the staff member who developed the idea.
Supporters told the committee Revere (the design/engineering firm) is preparing construction documents for Short Central; those documents will return to council for project approval before work begins. Staff cautioned that other potential funding sources discussed with a legislative contact may become available; if those funds materialize the town may not ultimately use PARD monies even if the grant application proceeds.
The PARD application motion passed in the finance committee without recorded dissent. Committee members also noted that donated labor reduces the town’s material costs and that detailed construction documents will be brought back to council for formal approval before contracts or work begin.
Short Central renovations and the Rollins Edwards lab are part of the parks department’s broader efforts to expand programming and teen outreach through on‑site technology and improved public spaces. If the PARD application is approved, the town’s share would come from the parks budget and matching resources identified in the grant packet.
